VVS Laxman's exceptional Ranji season (Source: VVSLaxman281/x.com)
In the rich history of Indian domestic cricket, the Ranji Trophy stands as the ultimate proving ground, where legends are born long before they wear the India cap. A kid who dreamt of wearing a prestigious Indian jersey one day, the Ranji Trophy is the first grand stage where a raw talent bloomed towards glory.
The prestigious Ranji Trophy has witnessed countless moments of glory and heartbreak, where careers have soared to new heights or crumbled under pressure. For Indian cricket, VVS Laxman’s brilliance needs no introduction, but it was during the 1999-2000 Ranji season that he unleashed his beast mode, crafting a record-breaking run that redefined domestic dominance.
In that single season, he scored eight brilliant centuries and scored 1400+ runs, shattering the record books. Let’s relive the best season of the Hyderabad batter.
A ‘very, very special’ journey of eight glorious centuries in the Ranji Trophy
Indian cricket has seen remarkable batters since the beginning of the game, but some of them became legends with time, and Hyderabad batter VVS Laxman is one of them. Whenever the names came up, his mind diverted to his iconic 281 at Eden Gardens, but the batters stunned the world long before with his brilliance. The 1999-2000 Ranji Trophy season remained a testament to his genius, when every corner of India’s domestic circuit echoed with the sound of Laxman’s dominance.
Donning the Hyderabad jersey, VVS Laxman turned into a beast in that season as the world experienced the heat from the very first game. Facing Goa in the first clash, Laxman gave an outstanding start. Dominating the opponent bowlers, he played a brilliant knock of 131 runs in 144 deliveries, marking his first ton of the season.
After the perfect beginning in the season, he channeled his exceptional form in the second match. Facing Andhra in the second game, he played a knock of 104 runs in 182 deliveries. After missing out a few games after that, Laxman smashed his third hundred of the season against Bihar, scoring 119 runs.
Along with that, he scored two more hundreds against Railways and Uttar Pradesh. During the entire season, Laxman was not even a part of Hyderabad’s all game, but his ruthless form remained a terror for the opponent bowlers.
A special triple century in semis and a heroic ton light up the Ranji Trophy final
Centuries are the pinnacles of a batter’s innings, but that turned into a masterclass with a double ton. But when it turns towards a triple hundred, the batter becomes a legend for the fans. The 1999-2000 Ranji Trophy season witnessed just that, as VVS Laxman crafted a heroic triple ton that transcended records and entered folklore. With time, that knock didn’t just shape a match; it sealed Laxman’s fate as one of Indian cricket’s timeless greats.
Facing Mysore in the semifinal clash, Hyderabad batted first and lost a quick wicket of Nand Kishore. As Mysore’s bowlers searched for control, Laxman seized command, turning pressure into poetry. Tightening his grip, he crossed the century and double century mark, and the fire was still left in him.
The bowlers tried every technique, but Laxman looked unshakable that day. After reaching his triple century, he continued to dominate, his bat painting boundaries across the field. It finally took Venkatesh Prasad to end the marathon at 353 off 560 balls, laced with 52 fours and 2 sixes. That knock still stands as an iconic knock in the history of the tournament.
As Hyderabad reached the final against Mumbai, VVS Laxman again grabbed the limelight with yet another century in a crucial time. After an early exit in the first innings, he made a mighty return in the second innings. Pushing Hyderabad towards glory, Laxman played a remarkable knock of 11 runs, but Hyderabad faced a heartbreaking 297-run defeat.
1,415 runs in a single Ranji season carves an unreal legacy
Before the iconic Ranji season, VVS Laxman delivered some classic knocks, but his unreal heroics in the 1999-2000 season eclipsed all and put him in the record books. In just 14 innings across nine matches, he amassed a staggering 1,415 runs, a feat that seemed almost unreal.
It wasn’t just a purple patch; it was a dream run where every shot reflected mastery, every innings felt inevitable, and the world witnessed a batter at the peak of perfection. The record just does not stay in the record book, as it played a crucial role in the batter’s career. After the stellar season, he received his India call-up for the Australia tour in 2000, and the world knows the rest.
VVS Laxman’s 1999–2000 Ranji season wasn’t just about numbers; it was a masterclass in artistry under pressure. Years passed, the game evolved, milestones were made and created, but the Very, Very Special record is still untouched. For generations to come, whenever the Ranji Trophy’s greatest tales are told, Laxman’s season of perfection will echo as one of its most iconic chapters.
